Myles Lewis-Skelly 'not a big loss' after Arsenal star was warned 'stay humble'

Myles Lewis-Skelly has been told he wouldn't be a big loss if Arsenal were to sell him(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)

Arsenal legend Emmanuel Petit has suggested losing Myles Lewis-Skelly wouldn't have been a big loss for the Gunners. England star Lewis-Skelly has been linked with a surprise move to Manchester United, though Mikel Arteta has suggested the player will stay put.

United remain in the market for a left-back as they race to find someone able to compete with, or displace, Luke Shaw. Lewis-Skelly, 19, proved pivotal in Arsenal's title run-in last season but emerged as a shock candidate to leave the Emirates Stadium more recently.

And Petit has suggested Arteta's side would manage just fine in the event he were to head out the exit. That's despite the fact Lewis-Skelly made a big impression on the World Cup-winner when he first burst onto the scene in 2024.

"A big loss, I wouldn't say that. It would be a loss, yes. But a big loss, I'm not sure," he said on Oddschecker's Transfer Timer show. "Because they have many talented players in the squad who can play different positions.

"He came from the academy and I know it can sound stupid sometimes but it's very important nowadays for the fans and the players in the club. The first game he played, it was not a surprise to me that Arteta put him in the starting XI. He could have put other players in with so many options on the bench but the way he committed to the game and celebrated on the pitch was great."

Petit suggested Lewis-Skelly may find it difficult to lock down a long-term spot in midfield due to the competition around him. However, his versatility makes the youngster an attractive prospect, one Petit would like to see stay at the club.

"I would like him to stay at Arsenal because he's a nice lad and he loves Arsenal," he continued. "But what was the fee for that? £60m? £50m? With so many midfield players at Arsenal, it would be very tough to get into the starting XI. But he can play at left-back, too. I would keep him, definitely."

Mikel Arteta recently said Lewis-Skelly will "100 per cent" remain an Arsenal player beyond the transfer window(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)

Petit previously told Lewis-Skelly to "stay humble" after he first entered the Premier League limelight. He became embroiled in a brief rivalry with Manchester City star Erling Haaland when he mimicked the Norwegian's 'zen' celebration during the 2024/25 Premier League title race.

"Myles Lewis-Skelly has to show more maturity and my main piece of advice would be to stay humble," he told CasinoHawks last year. "Stay humble, do your talking on the pitch.

"I’ve been impressed with his performances so far but the mocking of Erling Haaland and Manchester City… come on."

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Arteta was initially evasive earlier in the summer when quizzed about Lewis-Skelly's place in the team and whether he'd be staying. It was around that same period speculation emerged that the player had been offered to United and Chelsea, though the Gunners boss later inisisted he would "100% be staying."

It's understood the player wants to stay at Arsenal and his comments have never indicated he wishes to leave. However, it's Petit's belief that Arteta & Co would survive just fine even in the event he leaves before Tuesday's deadline.

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